A Kind of Madness, Uche Okonkwo
A Kind of Madness, Uche Okonkwo
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A Kind of Madness
Stories

Author: Uche Okonkwo

Narrator: Nene Nwoko

Unabridged: 8 hr 4 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 05/07/2024


Synopsis

A searing, unflinching collection of stories set in Nigeria that explores themes of community expectations, familial strife, and the struggle for survival.

A teenage girl from a poor family is dazzled by her rich, vivacious friend, but as the friend's behavior grows unstable and dangerous, she must decide whether to cover for her or risk telling the truth to get her the help she needs. A young woman and her mother bask in the envy of their neighbors when the woman receives an offer of marriage from the family of a doctor living in Belgium—though when the offer fails to materialize, that envy threatens to turn vicious, pitting them both against their community. And a lonely daughter finds herself wandering a village in eastern Nigeria in an ill-fated quest, struggling to come to terms with her mother's mental illness.

In ten vivid, evocative stories set in contemporary Nigeria, Uche Okonkwo's A Kind of Madness unravels the tensions between mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, best friends, siblings, and more, marking the arrival of an extraordinary new talent in fiction and inviting us all to consider the question: why is it that the people and places we hold closest are so often the ones that drive us to madness?

About Uche Okonkwo

Uche Okonkwo's stories have been published in A Public Space, One Story, Kenyon Review, Ploughshares, The Best American Nonrequired Reading 2019, and Lagos Noir, among others. A former Bernard O'Keefe Scholar at Bread Loaf Writers' Conference and resident at Art Omi, she is a recipient of the George Bennett Fellowship at Phillips Exeter Academy and a Steinbeck Fellowship. Okonkwo grew up in Lagos, Nigeria, and is currently pursuing a creative writing PhD at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.


Reviews

In a Nutshell: A collection of stories set in contemporary Nigeria, covering various kinds of “madness”, but not necessarily the one you would assume. I enjoyed the setting, the writing, as well as the content. Much recommended! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I wouldn’t say that this collection of ten s......more

When I read the description of this book, I was immediately excited and much to my delight it was everything I hoped it would be and then some! I absolutely devoured it, once I started I just couldn't put it down and once I turned the final page the last story had me staring at the wall for a solid......more

Goodreads review by Aimee

3 stars - review coming late lol To be released April 16, 2024, this upcoming collection of short stories by Uche Okonkwo dives deep into the lives of Nigerian women dealing with all sorts of feelings – from anger and sadness to shame and longing. With ten tales packed in, each story brings its own......more

Goodreads review by Conor

I though some stories had a real simple elegance to them. “Nwunye Belgium”, and “Long Hair” were especially great in their direct story telling. “The Girl Who Lied” was easily my favorite because it was a masterclass in show don’t tell. That’s the great on the other side I thought “Burning” just kin......more